Day Swenty Seven: 6/26

Today was the last full day of camp for both the kids and the staff. It was a day full of happiness but a bit of surrealness as well. We had our last chapel program today, which focused on the Promised Land and the journey we'll each take through out lives. The reality is that each of us is on our own journey - we've intersected here at camp. We may travel with each other again but we'll always be growing and changing in our own ways along the way. Moses was on a journey with his people to the promised land but once they got there, they realized the journey had only just begun. In some ways, that is how camp is as well. For many kids, camp is the "promised land" and when they have to leave, it feels like their world is ending. They go home and have the after camp blues and don't know what to do with their lives. But in all actuality, while the journey to camp and through camp was significant, camp is simply part of their life journey - one that equips them for success as a Christian but also as a member of society. After leaving camp, the journey has only just begun - they will use everything they learned this week to grow even more in the coming year. I am always amazed at the impact that camp has on people's faith lives. In a society where it is not 'cool' to talk about faith, we're teaching kids about having healthy prayer lives, about finding a community of believers who embrace us for who we are.

After chapel we had our afternoon activities. The kids went across the street to the AWESOME playground (it has a zip line and tire swing among other things) before loading the bus and heading into Sewanee. They went to the bookstore and played in the quad. Our kids love Sewanee and so do we - it is beautiful and serene.

That night was the banquet and celebration. We had our meal, made it rain, and then sang tons of silly camp songs. We then processed from the dining hall to the stone altar for a service of Eucharist. We had our carnival afterwards. The events at the carnival were so much fun - there was a dance contest, a drink walk, a "best of the west" where they had to use water guns to shoot out candles, face painting and more.

Putting the kids to bed was hard - they were so tired but didn't want to give up the last night of camp. We sang songs, told stories, and eventually they all went to sleep.

Pictured Above:

1)Boy staff turning their swag on

2) Learning the CGM Line Dance

3) Best of the West candle shoot out

4) Face Paint with Nick and Bitsy

5) Ford with the lady counselors

6) The Camp Staff says goodbye

7) The Eucharist at the stone altar at sunset

8) singing in the dining hall after the meal

9) GSL girls at the banquet

10) coming through the tunnel